MDEV vs. FTGC
MDEV (First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MDEV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index, while FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. MDEV is passively managed, while FTGC is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, MDEV returned -6.04%/yr vs 12.29%/yr for FTGC. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MDEV charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
MDEV vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MDEV achieves a -11.56% return, which is significantly lower than FTGC's 18.86% return.
MDEV
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- -1.40%
- YTD
- -11.56%
- 6M
- -12.11%
- 1Y
- -7.87%
- 3Y*
- -3.34%
- 5Y*
- -6.04%
- 10Y*
- —
FTGC
- 1D
- -1.14%
- 1M
- -7.37%
- YTD
- 18.86%
- 6M
- 17.54%
- 1Y
- 28.18%
- 3Y*
- 14.26%
- 5Y*
- 12.29%
- 10Y*
- 7.15%
MDEV vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDEV First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF | -11.56% | 2.00% | 1.79% | 7.55% | -28.59% | 3.83% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 18.86% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 8.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between MDEV and FTGC is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2021 | 0.12 |
The correlation between MDEV and FTGC shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.12 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MDEV vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank
MDEV
FTGC
MDEV vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) and First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MDEV | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.93 | 1.32 | -0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.44 | 2.60 | -3.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.00 | 9.67 | -10.67 |
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Drawdowns
MDEV vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MDEV drawdown since its inception was -42.34%, smaller than the maximum FTGC drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDEV and FTGC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MDEV | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.34% | -59.47% | +17.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.13% | -10.87% | -7.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.50% | -10.87% | -11.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -42.34% | -22.64% | -19.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.91% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -33.81% | -10.87% | -22.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -25.71% | -27.34% | +1.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.87% | 2.94% | +4.93% |
Volatility
MDEV vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) has a higher volatility of 4.27% compared to First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) at 3.07%. This indicates that MDEV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MDEV | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 3.07% | +1.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.81% | 13.21% | -1.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.17% | 15.70% | +0.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.96% | 15.87% | +3.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.95% | 14.71% | +4.24% |
MDEV vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison
MDEV has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than FTGC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
MDEV vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison
MDEV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.13%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 16.13% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% |
MDEV First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MDEV and FTGC have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MDEV has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to FTGC (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDEV dropped -42.34% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 5-year performance, FTGC leads with 12.29% vs -6.04% for MDEV. On fees, MDEV is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 12.29% return vs -6.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MDEV is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 16.13%, compared with 0.00% for MDEV.
MDEV is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while FTGC is Commodities. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for MDEV and 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -0.49), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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